A hairdresser jailed for life last month for trying to infect 10 men with HIV has been given an additional sentence for identical crimes in Scotland.

Daryll Rowe is the first Briton to be jailed for intentionally spreading the virus

Daryll Rowe, from Edinburgh, was described as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character when he was ordered to serve at least 12 years at Brighton Sheriff Court.

The 27-year-old is the first Briton to be jailed for intentionally spreading the virus, and infected five of his targets in England.

Details of his crimes in Scotland could not be reported fully until Rowe – diagnosed with HIV in April 2015 – pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday.

He admitted four charges of intentionally having unprotected sex with partners, while fully aware that he carried HIV. Rowe met victims using online dating apps such as Grindr and entered into sexual relationships without revealing his illness, infecting one in Scotland.

Rowe would either refuse to wear a condom, or tamper with them, as he deliberately tried to spread the infection. Between October 2015 and December 2016 he continued to commit similar offences in Edinburgh, as well as Sussex and North-east England.

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After pleading to the four counts of culpable and reckless conduct, he was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Daryll Rowe is a devious and deceptive predator who has shown absolutely no remorse for the extensive suffering and distress he has caused his victims.

“Since April 2015 he was fully aware of his illness, yet refused treatment that would ensure his own health and safeguard his sexual partners from the risk of infection. To make matters worse, he would then knowingly engage in sexual activity with individuals he met without divulging his condition.

“Rowe would then go to great lengths to ensure he put partners at risk of contracting HIV, demonstrating the callous and reckless nature of his character.

“Significant inquiries were conducted by not only Police Scotland, but colleagues in England, resulting in Rowe’s arrest and subsequent custodial sentences."

It is my sincere hope that all of those affected by Daryll Rowe’s calculated criminality feel some sense of justice following today’s outcome

Detective Chief Inspector Martin MacLean

“It is my sincere hope that all of those affected by Daryll Rowe’s calculated criminality feel some sense of justice following today’s outcome.”

Rowe embarked on his campaign in Brighton after he was diagnosed with HIV.

His trial in England heard that he scoured Grindr claiming to be looking for like-minded people who shared his interests of Marvel comics, Pokémon, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

But a string of “horrible” text messages to several of his victims showed he had been “playing” with them when they became concerned about his HIV status.

Rowe claimed to them he had rid himself of the illness through urine therapy, where he would drink his own urine.